HASTINGS - In the small town where Laura Dickinson grew up and her father operates a coffee shop, residents said the outrage they felt last fall has now been replaced by satisfaction.

Many voiced anger when a Washtenaw County jury deadlocked during the first trial for Orange Taylor III last October. But Monday, a second jury found Taylor guilty of murdering the 22-year-old Hastings native in her Eastern Michigan University dorm room in December 2006.

"The whole town's pretty happy," said Chris Bolthouse, owner of Help Hardware on State Street. "When the verdict came the last time, there were a lot of upset people around."

Dickinson was remembered in her hometown as a young woman who befriended all and hoped to join the Peace Corps to help disadvantaged children overseas.

At the family business, State Grounds Coffee House, several patrons said Dickinson's family has shown remarkable strength throughout the two trials.

"I think the community has been overwhelmed by the Dickinsons' faith in God," Bobbi Raush said. "Their faith has got them through this. It's been a long time coming. I think there's a sense of relief that justice was done."

Customers who know Laura's father, Bob Dickinson, said the end to the 16-month ordeal means something to everyone in the community of 7,000.

"I'm good friends with Bob," said customer Audi Haney. "He's a very special person. He and his family have been through so much."

Resident Dave MacQueen, whose bookstore is next to the coffee shop, said Bob Dickinson was never vengeful after his daughter's death, but wanted things to end right.

"I hope this does right, and I hope Bob can come back and feel clear," MacQueen said.
Tiffany Hendershot, an acquaintance of Laura Dickinson's at Hastings High School, worked at Gilmore Jewelers where Laura once worked.

"A guilty verdict doesn't bring her back, but it's nice to know the person who did this won't be out there to do it again," Hendershot said.